Truck



June 27, 1933. H. SOMERVELL TRUCK Filed Nov. 27, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 27, 1933. H. SOMERVELL 1,916,082

TRUCK Filed Nov. 27, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 2 TRUCK Filed Nov. 27, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 27, 1933. H. SOMERVELL 1,916,082

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June 27, 1933. H. SOMERVELL 1,916,082

TRUCK Filed Nov. 27, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ff [1/52 a 50/7201) L@M4IW, 4%

June 27, 1933. H. SOMERVELL 1,916,082

TRUCK Filed Nov. 27, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 27, 1933. H. SOMERVELL 1,916,082

TRUCK Filed Nov. 27, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 'T TRUCK Filed Nov. 27, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 206 213 i Z70 f I: 'K P f 325 ZLZZ {26 216 2/5 220 fizz/6W:

ward fiomer a/ I y Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOWARD SOMERVELL, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN STEEL FOUNDRIES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY TRUCK Application filed November 27, 1931. Serial No. 577,545.

This invention pertains to car trucks.

Desirable features for freight car trucks are economy, simplicity, lightness, strength and ease of maintenance, and these features are generally obtained within practical limitations on freight trucks now in use. However, present freight car trucks are very deficient in easy riding qualities since the spring suspension usually consists only of coil springs which strike a natural period of oscillation or vibration at some operating speed of the car; the resulting motion im arted to truck parts, car body and lading 1s violent and destructive and results in much damage to la ding. Track or wheel irregularities, even if very slight,will set up this oscillation and when the frequency with which theseirregularities are passed over agrees with the vibration period of the springs, the motion amplifies and continues, due to the lack of dampening qualities in coil springs. The motion may amplify to the extent of causing derailment of the truck.

Efforts have been made to improve this condition by the use of frictional devices with the coil springs for the purpose of dampening the motion, but unless considerable friction is obtained they are not effective enough, and if sufiicient friction is obtained, the spring action becomes too stiff and lacks sensitivity.

Passenger car trucks are generally easy riding, due to the use of both coil and elliptic leaf springs in series; the coil springs responding to the light quick shocks, the leaf springs to the slow, heavy impulses. Coil springs are quick and sensitive, leaf springs relatively less so, in response. For this reason. and also by providing coil and leaf springs of different natural vibration periods. they tend to dampen each others synchronous vibration without impairing free spring response. This condition is obtained by having the different springs in series. Placing leaf and coil springs in parallel is not sufficient, since they then act as a unit and have a common period of vibration.

Although the usual passenger car truck with series arrangement of coil and leaf springs gives good riding qualities, it is undesirably heavy, costly and complicated for ward synchronous vibration of the acter are placed in series without complete 7 duplication of carrying capacity in each kind.

A further object of the invention is to provide a car truck having springs of different character which are adapted to work independently of each other whereby shocks incident to operation are adequately absorbed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a car truck wherein the springs are arranged so that each dampens out the others vibration.

A yet further object is to provide a truck construction wherein resilient pads. are rovided for dampening out metallic vibratlons transmitted through the metallic truck parts, and also for the purpose of deadening noise.

A different ob ect is to provide spring assemblies wherein there is provided softer cushioning action under light loads, while at the same time providing the necessary stiffness and capacity under heavy loads, these features being combined also to provide a construction which reduces any tendency tosprings.

With these and various. other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, aswill be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawlugs and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate embodi- I ments of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation taken substantially in the plane of the transverse center line of Figu-re2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of truck construction embodying the invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the truck construction shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation taken substantially in the plane of the transverse center line of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of another modified form of truck construction embodying theinvention; I

.Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the truck construction shown iii Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation taken substantially in the plane of the transverse center line of Figure 8;

Fi re 10 is a sectional elevation taken substantially'in the plane as indicated by the line 1010 of Figure 9;

Figures 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 and 18 are transverse fra mentary sectional elevations of modified orms of the device;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevation of yet another modified form of truck construction;

Figure 15 is a fregmentary transverse sectional elevation taken substantially in the plane of the transverse center line of Figure 14. Y

Referring first of all more'particularly to the construction shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the side frame 20 includes the tension member 22, the compression member 24, and integral connecting columns 26 I forming the window 28. The tension and compression members merge adjacent their ends and are provided with the usual journal box cooperating with the journal ends of the wheel and axle assemblies. 'The columns are provided with the facing shelf portions 30 adjacent the tension member for receiving,' the seats 32 of the spaced members 34 forming the transom 36. The seat portions have depending lugs 38 embracing the seats 30 whereby a non-resilient connection is provided. The spaced members are connected by means of the integral end members 40 overlying the spring seats 42.

The spring seats 42 are adapted to receive the outer ends of the semi-elliptic leaf spring assemblies 44, the inner ends thereof being received in the seat 46 of the transverse member 48 connecting the spaced members 34. The spring band 50 is adapted to have supporting and non-resilient relation to the seat 52 provided on the'bolster 54, the bolster being'disposed between the spaced members 34 and being provided with the usual center bearing 56 and side bearings 58, and being provided with guide portions 60 cooperating with similar guide portions 62 formed on members 34.

In the construction shown in Fi ure 13,

which is similar to that described in igures 1 to 3 inclusive, the spring band 50 is provided with the track member 64 rovided with the rollers 66, the rollers fitting 1n tracks 68 formed in the bolster 70. Said bolster is similar to the bolster 54 in other respects, being provided with the center bearing 56 and the side bearings 58. With such construction lateral motion of the bolster is permitted by the anti-friction rollers 66.

In the construction shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, the side frame 20 is similar to that described in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, and the spaced members 134 ofthe transom 136 are seated through cooperative relation with the seats 132 and 130, the latter being provided on said side frame 20, said spacedmembers being connected as at 140. The members 134 are further connected with the coil spring seat 148 adapted to receive the coil spring assembly '150, the spring cap 146 thereof serving as a seat for the inner end of the leaf spring assembly 44. The spring band 50 has supporting relation with the seat 52 provided on the bolster 54. With such construction coil and leaf springs are provided in series, and as the springs are of different character synchronous oscillations are prevented.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 12, which is similar to that shown in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive, the spring band 50. is provided with the roller seat 64 accommodating the rollers 66, the bolster 54 being resiliently supported on the upper rollerseat67through the rubber or other resilient block 68, thus providing a construction similar to that shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive for accommodating and permitting lateral movements of the bolster.

In the construction shown in Figures 7 to 9 inclusive, the side frame 70 is provided with the compression and tension members 72 and 74, and integral connecting column guides 76, it being understood that suitable journal boxes connecting with the journal ends of. wheel a d axle assemblies are provided. The columns 6 are provided with the facing supports or ledges 78 for supporting the seat member 80 of the transom 82, lugs 84 serving as positioning means and embracing the ledges. The tension member between the column guides is provided with the seat por- 1,91o,osa

96 forming an inner spring seat 98 for the inner le s of the leaf spring assemblies 92. The sprlng band 100 is provided with the roller track102 for accommodating the antifriction rollers 104, said rollers being received in suitable tracks 68 provided in the bolster 70. In this form of construction springs of different character are provided in series and lateral motion is also provided for the bolster.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 11, the side frame 70 is provided with the columns 76 having the ledges 78 for supporting relation with the seats 104 of the transom 106, depending lugs 108 embracing the seat for positioning the transom. The spaced members 110 are connected by the integral end member 112 and the bolster 114 as positioned between the spaced members 110. The bolster is provided with the usual center hearing 116 and side bearings 118, and seated on the spring band 120 of the semi-elliptic leaf spring assembly 122. The outer leg of the leaf spring assembly is pivotally mounted as at 124 to the link 126, said link being pivoted as at 128 to the columns 76 below the seat 78. The inner leg of the semi-elliptic leaf spring assembly is pivotally mounted as at 130 to the link 132, which link is pivotally mounted as at 134 to the spaced members 110 of the transom. With this form of construction swing motion is provided for the bolster.

In the construction shown in Figure 17, which is similar to that shown in Figure 11, the outer leg of the leaf spring assembly 122 is pivotally mounted as at 124 to the elongated link 136 which is pivotally mounted as at 138 to the spaced members 110 of the transom. The inner leg is also pivotally mounted as at 130 to the elongated 'link 140 which in turn is pivotally mounted as at 142 to the spaced members 110 of the transom. This provides a somewhat different assembly in that the bolster, the leaf spring and the transom can be assembled before assembly with the side frames.

In the construction shown in Figures 14 and 15, the side frame is provided with the compression and. tension members 152 and 154 integrally connected by means of the column guides 156 forming the window 158. The window adjacent the tension member is widened as at 160 for facilitating assembly of the transom 162 which includes the spaced members 164 integrally connected adjacent their ends as at 166, the member 166 providing spring seats 168 for the coil spring assemblies 170 seated on the tension member in the window. The bolster 172 is seated on the spring band 174 of the semi-elliptic leaf spring assembly 176. The outer leg of said leaf spring assembly is seated in the seat member 178 provided on the tension member between the coil spring assemblies 170. The

inner leg of the leaf sprin assembly is seated as at 180 on the seat mem er 182 connecti the spaced members 164 of the transom. I

through the outer leg of the leaf spring assembly, and partially through the inner leg of the leaf spring assembly, the transom 162, and the coil spring assemblies 170 whereby springs in series are provided.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 16, which is similar to that shown in Figures 14 and 15, the bolster 184 is provided with the roller tracks 186 seated on the rollers 188 provided on the seat 190, said seat being carried by the spring band 174 of the semi-elliptic leaf spring assembly 176. With this construction the bolster is permitted lateral motion, as well as being mounted on springs of different character already described for Fi res 14 and 15.

the construction illustrated in Figure 18, the bolster 200 is mounted between the spaced members 202 of the transom 204. The spaced members of the transom are integrally connected adjacent their ends as at 206, bein provided with the depending lugs 208 to w ich the links 210 are pivotally mounted as at 212. The links are pivotally mounted as at 214 to the outer leg of the semi-elliptic leaf spring assembly 216, the bolster 200 being mounted on the spring band 218 of said assembly, and the inner leg of the assembl being pivotally mounted as at 220 to the lin 222, which in turn is pivotally mounted as at 224 to the spaced members 202 of the transom. The transom is resiliently mounted through the coil spring assembly 226 on the tension member 154 of the side frame 152 and in the window 158 of said side frame. With this form of construction swing motion is provided, a unitary assembly is also provided between the bolster, the leaf spring and the transom, and the bolster is mounted on springs of different character disposed in serles between said bolster and the side frame.

With the construction shown, trucks of easy riding ualities are provided, as well as those which ulfill all requirements of manufacture and service. The coil springs may be of any desired character, such as illustrated in application Serial No. 552,153 filed July 21, 1931, and it will be appreciated that rubber or other resilient pads may be mounted between any of the adjacent parts.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown, which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims;

What is claimed is:

1. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame at frame and a transverse member, a coil spring carried by said transverse member, a leaf spring supported. at spaced points, one of said spaced points being on said side frame and another of said spaced points being on said coil spring, and a bolster supported by said leaf spring.

2. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame and a transverse member, a spring carried by said transverse member, and a second spring supported partly by said side frame and partly by said transverse member through said first named spring, and a bolster supported by said second named spring.

3. In a car truck, the combination of spaced side frames and a transom connecting the same, coil springs carried by said transom, spaced semi-elliptic springs each supported at spaced points, one of said spaced points being on said side frames and another of said spaced points being on said coil springs, and a bolster supported by said semielliptic springs.

4. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides forming a window, a transom supported by said side frame, a bolster, and a leaf spring supporting said bolster at a point and supported on said transom and side frame at points, one of said points of support of said leaf spring being through a resilient member carried by said transom.

5. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides forming a window, a transom sup ported by said side frame, a bolster, and a leaf spring supporting said bolster at a point and supported on said transom and side oints, one of said points of support of said leaf spring being through a coil spring carried by said transom.

6. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides forming a window, a transom supported by said side frame, a bolster, and a leaf spring supporting said bolster at a point and supported on said transom and side frame at points, one of said points of support of said leaf spring being through a coil spring of variable pitch carried by said transom.

. 7. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides forming a window, a transom supported by said side frame, a bolster, and a leaf spring supporting said bolster at a point and supported on said transom and side frame at points, one of said points of support of said leaf spring being through a coil spring of variable diameter carried by said transom.

8. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides forming a window, a transom supported by said side frame, a bolster, and a leaf spring supporting said .bolster at a point and supported on said transom and side frame at points, one of said points of support of said leaf spring being through a coil spring of variable stiffness carried by said transom.

9. In a car truck, the combination of spaced side frames including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides each forming a window, a transom extending into said windows and connecting said side frames, a bolster, and a semi-elliptic spring supporting said bolster at a point and supported on each of said side frames and transom at a point, one of said last named points being through a coil spring carried by said transom.

10. In a car truck, the combination of spaced side frames including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides each forming a window, a transom extending into said windows and connecting said side frames, a bolster, and a semi-elliptic spring supporting said bolster at a point and supported on each of said side frames and transom at a point, one of said last named points being through a resilient member carried by said transom.

11. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides forming a window, a transom non-resiliently supported by said side frame, said transom including spaced members provided with a spring seat connecting said members, a semi-elliptic leaf spring non-resiliently supported on said tension member and resiliently supported on a coil spring carried by said spring seat, and a bolster disosed between said spaced members and fixedly secured to said leaf spring intermediate the ends thereof.

12. In a car truck, the combination of a,

side frame including tension and compression members and integral connecting column guides forming a window, a transom non-resiliently supported by said side frame, said transom including spaced members provided with a spring seat connecting said members, a semi-elliptic leaf spring non-resiliently supported on said tension member and resiliently supported on a coil spring carried by said spring seat, and a bolster disposed between said spaced members and supported on lateral motion means disposed on said leaf spring intermediate the ends thereof.

13. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame, a transom cooperating therewith, and a bolster supported on a semi-elliptic leaf spring, one end of said leaf spring being non-resiliently supported by said side frame and the other end being resiliently supported on said side frame through a coil spring supported by said transom.

14. In a truck, the combination of a side frame, a transom supported on said side frame, a bolster, a. semi-elliptic leaf spring supporting said bolster intermediate the ends of said spring, one end of said spring being supported on said side frame and the other end of said spring being supported on said transom through a metallic spring.

15. In a car truck. the combination of a side frame including tension and compression members and spaced integrally connecting columns forming a window therewith, a transom supported on said tension member in said Window, said transom including spaced members and a spring seat disposed inwardly of said side frame, a spring seat disposed on said tension member in said window, a bolster disposed between said spaced members, a semi-elliptic leaf spring supported on said seats and supporting said bolster through lateral motion means disposed between said seats, and a coil spring interposed between one end of said leaf spring and one of said seats and below said leaf spring.

16. A transom including spaced members having connecting end members and a seat provided adjacent the ends for seating said transom on side frames, and connecting members integrally connecting said spaced members inwardly of said end members and provided with coil spring seats.

17. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame, a transom supported on said side frame, a bolster, a leaf spring, lateral motion means provided on said leaf spring and engaging said bolster whereby said bolster is supported for lateral movement, said leaf spring being supported on said side frame at one end of said spring, and supported on said transom at the other end thereof through a metallic spring.

18. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame, a transom supported on said side frame, a bolster, a leaf spring, lateral motion means provided on said leaf spring and engaging said bolster whereby said bolster is supported for lateral movement, said leaf spring being supported on said side frame at one end of said spring, and supported on said transom at the other end thereof through a metallic spring and disposed below said leaf spring.

19. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame, a transom supported on said side frame, a bolster, a leaf spring, lateral motion means provided on said leaf spring and engaging said bolster whereby said bolster is supported for lateral movement, said leaf spring being supported on said side frame at one end of said spring, and supported on said transom at the other end thereof through a coil spring.

20. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame, a transom supported on said side frame, a bolster, a leaf spring, lateral motion means provided on said leaf spring and engaging said bolster whereby said bolster is supported for lateral movement, said leaf spring being supported on said side frame at one end of said spring, and supported on said transom at the other end thereof through a coil spring and disposed below said leaf spring.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 24th day of November, 1931.

HOWARD SOMERVELL. 

